Toilet fixture



R. M. WILLIS TOILET FIXTURE Dec. 7, 1937.

Filed Dec. 9, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet l C. 7, 1937. R, Mi W|| L|S 2,101,523

TOILET FIXTURE I y Filed Deo. 9, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. M. WILLISTOILET FIXTURE Dec. 7, l937.

3 Sheets-#Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 9, 1935 uPatented Dec. 7, 1937 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE TOILET FIXTURE Richard M. Willis, Mobile, Ala.Application December 9, 1935, Serial No. 53,654

Claims.

My invention relates broadly to toilet xtures and more specifically to acollapsible water closetI and a cabinet structure therefor to practicalutilization.

permit its The principal object of my invention is to provide complete,compact and self-contained unitary toilet facilities whose spacerequirement,

due to its unique and original features is materially less than anyother toilet fixtures onering equivalent advantages now known, and whoseinstallation in unitary form can be eiected with a minimum ofpreparatory expense and bother.

Satisfaction of the modern demand for increased toilet facilities inboth private and public places is largely hindered by the expenseentailed in providing tion and use.

the space required for their installa- That, from the standpoints ofbot-h structural economy and convenience, it is desirable to simplifyand condense much of the standard functional domestic equipment is wellevinced by a study of the recent art of kitchen and bathroom fixturedesign. Patent Ofiice'les ment of any of the xtures.

The essence of my invention is the water closet, collapsible, andpermitting it to rially lessened convenience and concealment, and

expressed in the bowl of which is flexible and provision of co-operatingmeans be folded or collapsed to a matedisplacement for the purposes ofavailment of the thus regained space for other uses.

Through the employment of my invention in one of its several expressionsit becomes possible to combine all of the equipment essential to abathroom in adequately useful and attractive form in a compartmentoccupying less than eight square feet of floor space, or by eliminationof the shower bath feature, to combine the other usual toilet fixturesand accessories in a unitary arrangement which, when closed,

will require only about one and one-half square feet of iioor space,which is less than the water closet alone.

is required usually for The advantages to be realized from itsapplication to new or old bedchambers or other places where toiletfacilities are required will readily be seen.

With these and other objects in appear as the description proceeds,

comprises the view as will the invention various novel features ofconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more fullydescribed herewith and set forth in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation and Figure 2 a side sectional elevation ofa cabinet combining my invention in one arrangement with other toiletelements.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are sectional side views of a portion of Figures 1and 2.

Figure 6 is a sectional plan View of a portion of Figure 5 above thecloset seat.

Figure 7 is a view in section of a water seal trap, part of a closetbowl and clamp means for joining the trap and bowl.

Figures 8 to 11 are approximate perspective views of the cabinet Figure1 in various positions of adjustment.

Similar characters of reference are used in all cases to denote likeparts throughout the drawings and the description.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, my invention is: a watercloset bowl l made of rubber or any other material or materials suitableto its purposes, of a form appropriate `to its proper functional usewhen in the open or distended position as in Figs. l, 3, 5 and 6, butcapable of being collapsed or compressed at will into a substantiallyflattened condition as in Figs. 2 and 4. In the form illustrated, theseal trap 2 of the closet is shown as constructed sidewise or at rightangles to the longitudinal plan axis of the functional shape of thebowl, as in Figs. 1 and 7, thus reducing the plan length of the closetas com- A pared with the usual type of construction; this trap 2 may bemade integrally with the bowl I of the same material and suitablyreinforced to preserve its shape if necessary, or it may be made ofmetal or other rigid material and have the flexible bowl portionattached to it as by a clamp 3 in Fig. 7.

There being nothing in the nature of this invention to restrict theactual form of the closet or its mode of flushing, its application toseveral of well known existing types is contemplated, ac- -i cording asthe usage purposes may vary; for instance, the bowl may be of the stylein which the water for flushing is introduced through a hollow rim, orthe flushing water may be introduced into the bowl by means over the topof the bowl or through its wall, and made to perform its usual functionswithout prejudice to the co1- lapsible features.

Since a closet bowl of sufficient flexibility to meet the requirementscontemplated in this invention would alone be impractible for use I havecombined with it mechanical means of support, operation and concealmentas follows:

The water closet i's installed within a shallow cabinet 4, suitablysecured therein as by bolts 5, Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and having flushingmeans, hot shown, and a disch'arge outlet 6 through the cabinet directeddownward as shown, or to th side or rear.

While in the preferred f'orm the flushing is controlled by one of manywell-known types of pressure ushing valves, if desired 'a gravityushi'ng tank may be incorporated within the cabinet above the closet andconnected therewith in the usual manner.

To eilect the folding operation of the closet the cabinet 4 is providedwith a closure comprising two panel members, member 1 being hinged tothe cabinet 4 at or near the bottom at a point 8 and having the upperfront portion of the closet bowl attached to it as by one of the bolts5,-Fig. 3, and also having top extensions of its side frames 5 to whichthe panel member III is pivotally attached by bolts, as at I I, saidmembers 1 and I0 when in their closed position fitting the sides of thecabinet and forming a substantially flush closure for its lower portionas shown in Figs. 4 and 11.

The panel member I0, which is the seat assembly for the closet,comprises three main parts, as shown in Figures 3 and 6: the seat framesIIIA attached pivotally to the member 1 at II and terminating inT-shaped lugs I2; the seat, I 0B, of sheet metal, superimposed upon IDAand hinged thereto at I3, the outer edges of the seat beingapproximately in alignment with the seat frames I 0A; the seat coverIUC, being likewise hinged to IIIA and to IOB at I3, of sheet metalformed to cover and conceal the seat, and by reason of compression ofits sides upon the seat lframes I 0A when closed holding the entire seatassembly III together in such manner that for certain purposes describedfollowing, the seat assembly will function as one single element. Theouter terminals of the lugs I2 are guided and retained within grooves I4in the side walls of the cabinet 4 in such manner that when said lugs I2repose in the bottom extremities of the grooves I4 the seat member IIIis in a substantially horizontal position and supported so by the lugsI2 and the panel member 1.

'I'he closet having been now brought into its functional positionwherein the flexible bowl is distended, the seat cover IIIC may beraised as in Figs. 5 and 8 disclosing for use the seat IDB which isprovided with a central opening I5 directly above the closet bowl, anopening I6 through which the handle of the flushing means may beoperated, and an opening I1 through which toilet paper may be withdrawnfrom its container I 8 attached to the under side of the seat. The seatitself may be raised to a vertical, disclosing the closet bowl still indistended position for use as a urinal, or for gaining access to thevarious appurtenances which are housed in the lower portion of thecabinet. The seat cover IUC and also the seat IBB may be retained intheir raised positions by latching means as the hook I9 attached to amember of the cabinet. A folding, fan-shaped segment of suitableflexible material 2l, Fig. 9, may be interpolated into the openingsrevealed between members 1 and III in this position to conceal the lowerinner portion of the cabinet, and which folds thereinto when member IIIis closed.

In further operation, in bringing the members 'led away to the sewer as'I and Il into their closed position, being aided thereby by coiledsprings 2| acting upon the member 1-, the outer terminals of the lugs I2of the member Il travel upward and are retained within the grooves I4uhtil reaching their uppermost point, 'where the grooves terminate inexit openings 22 and relinquish their forward restraint upon th'e memberIl.

Above the closet is a wash basin 22, attached 'pivotally to th'e cabinetat 24 and made compositely with a third panel member 25 which whenplaced into a closed position, Figs. 4 and 11, becomes apart with themembers 1 and Il in forming a substantially flush front closure for aportion of the cabinet 4. Coiled springs 30 attached to the cabinet andto member 25 aid in raising and restraining the member 2l in its closedposition. and chains 3| reposing within and utilizing the sameattachment means as the springs 2l support the basin member when in itshorizontal position and not otherwise supported.

'I'he basin 23 is formed with a pouring lip 24, Fig. 3, at its posterioredge which, when the basin is tilted from its useful position, Figs. 4,5, 8 and 11, will spill the liquid contents thereof into a receivingfunnel 21 from which they are wasted either directly into the closetbowl through a pipe 28, Fig. 3, 4, and 5, or separately trapped and bythe pipe 29 in Figs. 1 and 2.

The surplus width of the panel member 25 overhanging the basin on eitherside provides shelf space 4I for toilet accessories when the basin is inuse, and the space allowed between these shelf surfaces and the interiorwalls of the cabinet when the member 25 is closed is equipped withfittings tov accommodate such minor toilet accessories as towels, washcloths, tumblers, etc., as suggested in Figs. 1 and 2. Hot and coldwater 32 serving a mixing faucet 33 with a spout I4 which can beswungfrom a position above the basin to one directly above the funnel 21provide Water for the basin and for other needful purposes. The -basinpartially houses the faucet assembly when closed.

As will have been observed from the description thus far, the closetunit of the cabinet maybe opened and closed independently of the basinunit while the latter is closed, and the basin may be brought into itsfunctional position while the closet unit is extended as in Figs. l, 8and 9. An additional feature of my invention resides in an interactingrelation between members 25 and III to allow the basin to be broughtinto its functional position while the closet element remains closed,which is explained as follows:

The method of attachment of the seat member I0 to the member 1 at pointII permits the seat member I0 to revolve within the extensions of theside frames 9 of member 1 from its horizontal position through an arcgreater than 180 degrees, the curved profile of the front edge of theseat moving above and adjacent to the top edge of the member 1, Figs. 1,2 and 5, substantially maintaining a closed joining along the length oftheir coincidence.

The bottom edge of the basin member 25 when closed is suiiiciently lowerthan the exit openings 22 of the grooves I4, as shown in Figs. 8 and 11,that when. the basin member 25 is in its closed position, and members 1and I0 are moved from an open to a closed position bringing the outerextensions of the T-shaped lugs I2 to the exit openings 22 of thegrooves I4, the inner extensions oi' the T-shaped lugs I2 are broughtinto engagement with grooves 35 provided upon the side edges of themember 25. The three closure members 1, Il! and 25 are now closed. Uponopening the member 25, the member I0 swings outwardly from its top,being guided and restrained by the engagement of the inner extensions ofits T-'shaped lugs I2 With the said grooves 35 until the lugs reachingthe end of the grooves at 36 stop and hold the basin at its horizontalposition, supplementing the chains 3l in this function.

Figs. 1, 2, 8,- 9, 10 and 11 show the cabinet complete with a mirroredmedicine cabinet 31 having lights 38 which may be recessed behind glasspanes; handles for operating the basin and closet units are indicated at39, Fig. 4. Means, such as screws at suitable points, for securing thecabinet 4 in its upright position against the wall or iloor whereinstalled are contemplated but not shown in the drawings.

Fig. 11 indicates in dotted lines a compartment 40 of which the unitarycabinet 4, completely closed, forms one wall. This compartment whenprovided suitably with a shower head connected with supply pipes andvalves, and a iloor with drainage means for the shower bath water, and

further provided with a suitable closure in the form of either a curtainor a door or both for an entrance opening which may be in either side orthe end of the compartment, and additional openings for Ventilatingpurposes and for entrance and egress of the necessary serviceconnections, constitutes not only an adequate bathing space ofcomparatively unobstructed inner surfaces when the cabinet is closed butalso a place of privacy when use is being made of the other toiletconveniences included in the cabinet.l

It will be seen :from the foregoing description how, by combining mycollapsible closet invention with sundry other toilet units, I achievemy contemplated intention of providing in a totally new and originalform toilet facilities which may be cheaply manufactured and transportedand easily installed as cabinet units -comprising, either: the watercloset alone, or in combination with a basin, or with a basin andmedicine cabinet, or with a basin, medicine cabinet and shower bath allcontained in a compartment of the utmost compactness, which in either oftheir completed forms may be incorporated with the structural elementsof a building or else set up as an article of furniture in a bed-chamberor other place as desired, where their use in any of their various formsis readily available or their presence inconspicuous when not in use.

It will be understood that the showing of the above invention is verydiagrammatic and that itis capable of many refinements which willreadily occur to those skilled in the art; the particular form of thevarious elements involved is not essential, as it is obvious thatvariations could be used without departing from the spirit of theinvention. I intend, therefore, tobe limited only by the scope of theappended claims.

I claim: l

1. A water closet, the bowl portion'being of flexible material andcollapsible, having a seat, ushing means and a liquid seal .sanitarytrap with discharge means.

2. A water closet of exible construction with means to enable its normalfunctional use in one position and its conversion therefrom to acollapsed or partially collapsed form of reduced cubic displacementwhile maintaining its liquid seal.

3. A device of the character described including in combination acabinet within which the closet is secured and from which it ispartially distendable for functional use, a wash basin foldablydisposable within the cabinet and usable independently of the saidcloset, supply and waste means for both closet and basin and closuremeans for the whole.

4. In combination with a water closet having a collapsible bowl withflushing and discharge means, a cabinet within which said closet isfoldable and to which it is suitably attached; a closure thereforcomprising a panel member hinged to the cabinet at or near the bottom, asecond member consisting of a seat frame, a seat and a seat coveroperating substantially as one single element pivotally attached to thetop of the iirst and movable through restrictive means so that in oneposition the flexible closet is distended and the seat held securelyabove it in approximately horizontal position, the seat cover or theseat and seat cover being from this position pivotable upward by theirfront edges to `an approximately vvertical position and secured, or withthe seat frame, seat and seat cover acting as a single element, by ajoint movement both closure members being movable into a vertical state,closing the cabinet .and simultaneously compressing the flexible closetinto the confines of the cabinet; a third closure member pivotallyattached to the cabinet and having a wash basin either integral with orattached thereto with supply and waste means and means for sustainingsaid basin in a position for use; when closed, the exterior of thismember forming substantially a surface continuation of the previouslydescribed first and second members; the closet and basin beingindependently operable or through interacting means so related that whenthe first and second members are closed, upon opening lthe third memberthe said second member is caused to assume the position and function ofa secondary support therefor; a portion of the cabinet being used for amedicine cabinet with a separate mirrored closure and provided withelectric lights; the cabinet being provided with suitable Ventilatingmeans; the cabinet, when closed, presenting a substantially unbrokenplane front surface.

5. A cabinet toilet structure embodying a collapsible water closet, apivotable wash basin, supply and discharge meansfor both, internalprovision for minor toilet accessories, and a mirrored medicine cabinetwith lighting means, all as described forming one interior wall of acompartment equipped with a shower bath having supply and drainage meansand an entrance opening therefor provided with a suitable closure, theshower compartment when not in use for bathing purposes providing aprivate place for occupancy While use is being made of the other toiletfacilities embodied therein.

, RICHARD M. WILLIS.

